LE PETIT-QUEVILLY, France (April 3, 2026) (Interstat) — Rouen rallied from a second-half deficit to defeat Valenciennes 3-2 in a dramatic National 1 match Friday at Stade Robert Diochon, a result that defied a pregame statistical projection of a draw.

The contest, which saw a late winner and a decisive red card, improved Rouen’s record in the competition to one win and one loss on the young season. Valenciennes fell to no wins and one loss.

The game began in cagey fashion, with the first notable action being a yellow card issued to Valenciennes forward Bonota Traoré in the 18th minute. The match opened up just before halftime when Rouen midfielder Kapokyeng Sylva broke the deadlock in the 44th minute, sending the home side into the break with a lead.

That advantage was short-lived. Valenciennes responded early in the second half, with substitute Bryan Passi leveling the score at 1-1 in the 56th minute. The visitors seized momentum just nine minutes later when forward Junior Ndiaye found the net in the 65th minute, putting Valenciennes ahead 2-1.

The match’s complexion shifted dramatically in the 79th minute when Valenciennes’ Stredair Appuah was shown a straight red card, forcing his side to play a man down for the final stretch. Rouen pressed for an equalizer against the ten men, and their persistence was rewarded deep into second-half stoppage time.

Substitute Gaëtan Courtet, who had entered the match and received a yellow card shortly after, became the hero for the hosts. He scored the tying goal in the third minute of added time to make it 2-2, completing a late comeback. Courtet was not finished, however. He then turned provider, assisting on the game-winning goal scored by midfielder Jordan Leborgne moments later to complete a stunning turnaround.

The frantic finale was punctuated by a flurry of cautions, with Valenciennes’ Ismaïl Bouneb receiving a yellow in the first minute of stoppage time just before the decisive goals. Other players booked included Valenciennes defender Virgil Theresin and Rouen defender Jérémy Mounsesse. Assists on the earlier goals were credited to Valenciennes’ Traoré and Rouen’s Mounsesse and Bouneb.

The final score of 3-2 for Rouen contrasted with the pregame projection from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a 1-1 draw. Their ELO rating system had given Rouen a 58.5 percent probability of victory.

With the win, Rouen looks ahead to its next fixture. The team is scheduled to travel to face VF Beaujolais in its next National 1 match. Valenciennes will seek its first victory of the campaign following the narrow, late defeat.